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Thursday, October 11, 2012

Brown Butter Blondies with Chocolate Maple Glaze

Ugh I hate packing. I think I somehow manage to both overpack and underpack at the same time. It is a gift. I was looking for the new toothbrush holders that had been picked up a few days ago, and I knew I saw them the day before. I had looked right at them in their bag. Somehow, during those hours, they got lost. I don't understand how that happens! Am I getting old and senile? Did I just imagine toothbrush holders? Was the whole act of going to the drugstore and placing said holders in my basket, checking out, and then coming home with them just an elaborate fantasy in my head? Is it a trick being played by some sort of supreme being? Did the cats take off with the package and wrap yarn around it? Did Max claim it for his own, burying it under a forgotten pile of toys? Did it disappear through a wormhole into an alternate dimension? I HAVE NO IDEA! It is confusing. I was so annoyed about this situation. I know it really isn't a big deal in the scheme of life, but it doesn't take away from how frustrating it feels at the moment. So I tried to let it go (okay, lets face it, I'm not really letting it go) and accept the fact that the toothbrush holders have found a new home and would not be accompanying us on our trip. Then I went to the kitchen and made these. Eating these made me feel better.

Instructions
Heat oven to 350. Grease an 8x8 baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and ground walnuts. In a medium skillet, melt the butter. Keep and eye on the butter, it will become foamy and brown specks will be at the bottom of the pan, and it will have a wonderful nutty fragrance. Take off heat and stir in brown sugar and maple syrup. Let the mixture cool. Once cool, whisk in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture and then the chocolate chips. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and it has cooked all the way through. Let cool. To make the glaze, place the chocolate chips, salt, maple syrup, and half and half in a microwavable bowl and microwave for 30 seconds to a minute (you want everything to be nice and melted together). Stir, then use a pastry brush to glaze the blondies.Adapted from the blondies recipe in Joy of Cooking

Cooking and baking (and eating) de-stresses my mind and helps me find stuff I lost. :) When we came back from our vacation in Maine I couldn't find my two favorite pair of earrings and it drove me insane. But, they've since been found. Brain clutter. :)

I cannot pack to save my life. Organisation of suitcases is beyond me. :) These look like perfection. They remind me of something from Tim Hortons (but so much classier, of course) what with the amazingness of both maple syrup and chocolate...

I misplace things at least once a day and just have to have faith that someday I'll find them again. Just not in the near future. :P Baking is the perfect stress reliever in such times though...and these bars sound perfect!

haha! sounds like me packing for my trip this weekend :) Chocolate maple glaze is genius on these! Blondies are one of my serious weaknesses.. will be needing to try these asap, these would make anyone feel better!

Some people cannot eat when they are under stress, but I am completely opposite and I like to eat when I'm frustrated and get stuck... I might even fish this whole thing if I start baking. ;) These blondies look really good, especially with chocolate + maple on top! YUM!!